In a unanimous ruling, judges declared as unconstitutional three sections of the Constitution that prohibited cannabis consumption, possession and cultivation.

Selling and smoking cannabis – popularly known as “dagga” in South Africa – in public places remains illegal.

South Africa joins a growing list of African countries embracing the legal use of marijuana. Last year, Lesotho became the first African country to offer legal licenses to grow it. In April, Zimbabwe’s government legalised cultivation for medicinal and scientific purposes.

South Africa’s Dagga Party won a court case last year permitting cannabis smoking in homes, paving the way for Tuesday’s ruling. Jeremy Acton, the party’s leader, said it will continue to lobby for legislation that includes the public use of cannabis.

“The ruling is a victory for every person who is a member of our culture. However, people should be able to gather in places which are still private events where collective experience of cannabis use may continue, just as people gather to have a beer,” Acton said.

Coca-Cola looks into CBD

Coca-Cola has expressed interest in developing a range of CBD-infused drinks to help ease physical problems such as inflammation, pain and cramps. The world’s largest drinks company is in talks with major Canadian marijuana producer Aurora Cannabis.

It said: “Along with many others in the beverage industry, we are closely watching the growth of non-psychoactive CBD as an ingredient in functional wellness beverages around the world. The space is evolving quickly.”

Researchers from YouGov surveyed 1,677 British adults about their attitudes to cannabis. 19% of respondents think it’s acceptable for MPs and CEOs to at least occasionally smoke cannabis. However, 43% said that while it’s acceptable for such public figures to have smoked cannabis in the past, it’s not OK for them to do so while in that job. And 31% had a stricter view, saying that having ever taken cannabis should disqualify someone from holding such a position.

5% said they thought it was acceptable to be in post while taking harder drugs – including amphetamines, ecstasy, LSD, cocaine and heroin.

Young people were found to be more accepting when it comes to cannabis, with 30% of 18-24 year olds believing it’s ok for MPs and CEOs to smoke cannabis.

Shares hit an intraday high of $300, up from $154.98. It closed up 38.1 per cent on the day at $214.06, valuing the company at nearly $20 billion. The share price was boosted by bullish comments from its chief executive and news that the US’s drugs regulator would allow the company to export a cannabis-based drug to the United States.